Does a commercial slicer need automatic stacking?

Automatic stacking only pays off when sliced portions feed straight into packaging with a fixed count and orientation; a shop slicing to order can usually skip it. Before buying, pin down the slices per portion, thickness range, and stacking pattern, then run a continuous trial at production speed to watch for skewing, sticking, or scattered slices, and check that stacking keeps pace with the packaging line. Test your own product for at least half an hour, logging stoppages and stacking accuracy, to decide whether the feature earns its price.